Game Pieces for Use with Touch Screen Devices and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

There is provided a system and method for communicating with a first peripheral device, of a plurality of peripheral devices, using a touch-sensitive system that has a processor and a touch surface. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method includes detecting, using the processor, a plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method further includes identifying, using the processor, the first peripheral device based on the plurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheral device. The method additionally includes communicating data, using the processor, to a receptive circuit of the first peripheral device in response to the identifying of the first peripheral device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/806,986, filed Aug. 24, 2010, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/399,249, filed Jul. 8, 2010,which are hereby incorporated by reference in the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of electronicdevices, and more particularly, to electronic devices usingtouch-sensitive surfaces.

2. Background Art

Touch-sensitive devices, such as touch screen devices, are becomingincreasingly prevalent in the marketplace. These touch-sensitive devicesoffer a touch-sensitive surface that can detect the presence andposition of touch-based input opening up the possibility of new ways tointeract with electronic devices. The popularity of recent touch screendevices, including tablet computers such as iPad from Apple®, means thattouch screen devices can be found among many family households. At thesame time, physical game pieces and/or toys remain a staple of kids,with collectible figures and objects serving as a bedrock forimaginative toy play in the form of interaction between the figures andobjects as well as the larger environment.

In this context, kids are having increased exposure to touch screendevices making it desirable to provide new technologies, which canenhance the interactive experience with touch screen devices and theirexisting toys.

In a conventional approach, a toy may be integrated with a video game orother software running on a computer through establishing wired orwireless communication between the toy and the computer. For example,the video game or other software could run on a touch screen device andcommunicate with the toy over a universal serial bus (USB) connection.However, this approach is limited in that the video game or othersoftware cannot track the presence, position, and orientation of the toyin the physical world without requiring complex and expensive electricalcomponents. These limitations present a barrier to new interactiveexperiences.

Accordingly, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks and deficienciesin the art while providing interactive game pieces and/or toys, whichcan be used with touch screen devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to game pieces for use with touchscreen devices and related methods, substantially as shown in and/ordescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forthmore completely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewingthe following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 a presents a diagram of a touch-sensitive system including afirst peripheral device and a second peripheral device, according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b shows a perspective view of a peripheral device, according toone embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 1 c shows a bottom view of a peripheral device according to oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 1 d shows a top view of a peripheral device according to oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 1 e shows an exemplary sequence that can be used to illustrate amethod of communicating with a peripheral device using touch-sensitivesystem, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart describing the steps, according to oneembodiment of the present invention, for communicating with a peripheraldevice, of a plurality of peripheral devices, a using touch-sensitivesystem that has a processor and a touch surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present application is directed to game pieces for use with touchscreen devices and related methods. The following description containsspecific information pertaining to the implementation of the presentinvention. One skilled in the art will recognize that the presentinvention may be implemented in a manner different from thatspecifically discussed in the present application. Moreover, some of thespecific details of the invention are not discussed in order not toobscure the invention. The specific details not described in the presentapplication are within the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill inthe art. The drawings in the present application and their accompanyingdetailed description are directed to merely exemplary embodiments of theinvention. To maintain brevity, other embodiments of the invention,which use the principles of the present invention, are not specificallydescribed in the present application and are not specificallyillustrated by the present drawings.

FIG. 1 a presents a diagram of touch-sensitive system 100 including afirst peripheral device and a second peripheral device, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. Touch-sensitive system 100 of FIG.1 a includes peripheral devices 102 and 104 and electronic device 106.Peripheral device 102 includes touch lead 108 and at least one touchpoint, such as touch points 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c (also referred to“touch points 110”). Similarly, peripheral device 104 includes touchlead 112 and touch points 114 a, 114 b, and 114 c (also referred to“touch points 114”). In the present embodiment, electronic device 106includes touch surface 116, processor 118, actuator 120, receiver 122,transmitter 124, and memory 126. Memory 126 includes executable code128, identifying data 130, data 132, and unlockable content 134.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, electronicdevice 106 can be, as a specific examples, a tablet computer, such as anApple® iPad or Google® Android compatible tablet, a cellular phone, apersonal computer, and generally a computer receiving input from a touchsurface. It is noted that not all embodiments of the present inventionrequire electronic device 106 to include each component shown and/ordescribed herein, such as those in FIG. 1 a. Rather, electronic device106 is highly configurable and can have any combination of componentsshown and/or described in the present application, multiple instancesthose components, or other components not specifically described herein.Furthermore, certain components that are depicted as being internal toelectronic device 106 may be external to electronic device 106 and/orshared with other electronic devices. In the present embodiment, touchsurface 116, processor 118, actuator 120, receiver 122, transmitter 124,and memory 126 are coupled to one another and thus can communicate overbus 124. However, touch surface 116, processor 118, actuator 120,receiver 122, transmitter 124, and memory 126 can be coupled to oneanother using other means, for example, a plurality of dedicated lines,or a combination of buses and dedicated lines.

In touch-sensitive system 100, processor 118, which can comprise, forexample, a central processing unit (CPU), is configured to operate inaccordance with executable code 128 stored in memory 126. Memory 126 cancomprise, for example, random access memory (RAM) and executable code128 can include software, for example, a video game, educationalsoftware, or other software, such that processor 118 operates inaccordance with instructions in the software. The software can implementvarious methods in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

Also in touch-sensitive system 100, touch surface 116 is capable ofregistering the presence and position of multiple touch-based inputsthereon. For example, FIG. 1 a shows touches 111 a, 111 b, and 111 c(also referred to as “touches 111”) on touch surface 116, which are madeby peripheral device 102. FIG. 1 a also shows touches 115 a, 115 b, and115 c (also referred to as “touches 115”), which are made by peripheraldevice 104. In the present embodiment, touches 111 are contemporaneousand form contemporaneous touches 136. Similarly, touches 115 arecontemporaneous and form contemporaneous touches 138. In someembodiments, touch surface 116 is a capacitive touch surface, whichmeasures a change in capacitance between pairs of electrodes caused by adisturbance in an electrostatic field to sense touch-based input. Alsoin some embodiments, touch surface 116 is a resistive touch surface.Touch surface 116 may also use pressure-based touch sensing, or othermeans, in embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 a shows touch surface 116 as being part of a touch screen displaythat is capable of displaying a digital image. Thus, the presentapplication also refers to touch surface 116 as touch screen display116. However, embodiments of the present invention do not require atouch screen display or any display. Also, in some embodiments,electronic device 106 includes a display that is separate from touchsurface 116 in addition to or instead of including a touch screendisplay.

In touch-sensitive system 100, processor 118 is configured to detect oneor a plurality of touches on touch surface 116 of touch-sensitive system100 that are made by a peripheral device. In one embodiment, processor118 is configured to detect touches 111, which all occur within a timeinterval. Similarly, in one embodiment, processor 118 is configured todetect touches 115, which all occur within a time interval. For example,in the present embodiment, processor 118 can detect contemporaneoustouches 136 and can detect contemporaneous touches 138. The number ofcontemporaneous touches on touch surface 116, which may be detected byprocessor 118, is generally limited by the capabilities of touch surface116.

Processor 118 is also configured to identify the peripheral device basedon the one or plurality of touches on touch surface 116 oftouch-sensitive system 100 that are made by the peripheral device. Forexample, processor 118 can identify peripheral device 102 based oncontemporaneous touches 136 and can identify peripheral device 104 basedon contemporaneous touches 138. In the present embodiment, identifyingdata 130 characterizes contemporaneous touches 136 with respect to othertouch-based input or inputs, such as contemporaneous touches 138, suchthat processor 118 can identify peripheral device 102 by comparingcontemporaneous touches 136 to identifying data 130. Identifying data130 may be sufficient such that processor 118 can distinguish betweencontemporaneous touches 136 made by peripheral device 102 andcontemporaneous touches 138 made by peripheral device 104. As oneexample, identifying data 130 can comprise distances between touchpoints 114 of peripheral device 102. By determining that those distancesmatch distances between touches 111, processor 118 can identifyperipheral device 102. In various embodiments, identifying data 130 cancomprise angles between touches 111, an area formed between touches 111,a number of adjacent touches 111, and/or other information sufficient tocharacterize contemporaneous touches 136.

In one embodiment, identifying data 130 is a stored shape, such as atriangle, which processor 118 compares and/or matches with a shapeformed by touches 111 or a shape of one of touches 111. For example,processor 118 can detect that contemporaneous touches 136 form atriangle as shown in FIG. 1 a or that touch 111 a is round. Processor118 can then, for example, compare and/or match the triangle formed bycontemporaneous touches 136 to identifying data 130 to identifyperipheral device 102. It will be appreciated that processor 118 cansimilarly identify peripheral device 104. As is apparent from FIG. 1 a,the triangle formed by contemporaneous touches 136 is distinguishablefrom a triangle formed by contemporaneous touches 138, allowing forperipheral devices 102 and 104 to have different identities.

In some embodiments, processor 118 can identify peripheral device 102based on touches 111 on touch surface 116 of touch-sensitive system 100even where touches 115 and or other touch-based input, such as fingerinput, are also present on touch surface 116, Furthermore, processor 118can identify peripheral device 102 with high accuracy. For example, insome embodiments, varying touches 111 by less than a millimeter canresult in a failed or different identification of peripheral device 102.Thus, in some embodiments, processor 118 can identify peripheral device102 based on touches 111 on touch surface 116 of touch-sensitive system100 with sufficient accuracy that peripheral device 102 can act as akey. For example, peripheral device 102 can be a keycard placed on touchsurface 116 to open a door.

In one embodiment, peripheral device 102 can be used to accessunlockable content 134 by identifying peripheral device 102. Theidentification may render unlockable content 134 permanently accessible,or future identification may be required to obtain additional accessunlockable content 134. In one example, peripheral device 102 is a printout in a magazine that has conductive touch points 110 thereon.Identifying peripheral device 102 can provide access to unlockablecontent 134, which may be a digital coupon. As another example,peripheral device 102 can be a Mater toy from the animated film Cars byDisney/Pixar. Processor 118 can identify the Mater toy, as describedabove, thereby allowing access to unlockable content 134, which may be ajunkyard themed level in a video game. Additionally, or alternatively,unlockable content 134 can be a voice that is associated with theidentity of peripheral device 102, such that actuator 120 and/or 164(e.g. speakers) can play the voice of Mater.

In yet another example, unlockable content 134 comprises a digitaldepiction of Mater that is displayed on touch surface 116 in a parkinglot scene after being identified by Processor 118. The parking lot scenecan further include other toys (e.g., peripheral device 104) that havepreviously been identified by processor 118, thereby tracking anddisplaying each toy that may be owned by a user of electronic device106. Furthermore, the parking lot can track and indicate toys that havenot been identified by processor 118. Thus, in one embodiment,unlockable content 134 can be selected depending on an identity ofperipheral device 102 as compared to other peripheral devices, such asperipheral device 104. Other examples of unlockable content 134 includeuser preferences and information about previous uses of software, suchas a video game, and in software events, such as allowing othercharacters to interact with or acknowledge peripheral device 102.

Unlockable content 134 can require further identification via, forexample, a user name, password and/or a fingerprint. For example, a usermay be authenticated using electronic device 106 or server-side using ausername and password. In one embodiment, unlockable content 134 isselected based on a geographical location of electronic device 106 inwhich processor 118 identifies peripheral device 102. For example, ifelectronic device 106 was geographically located near Disneyland, thedigital depiction of Mater that is displayed on touch surface 116 mayhave a Mickey Mouse decal or the junkyard level may instead be a Disneythemed level or be modified to include Disney themed attributes.

In some embodiments, processor 118 can differentiate between peripheraldevices that have similar identities as identified by processor 118based on one or a plurality of touches, such as touches 111. Forexample, in one embodiment, an RFID tag or other electronic circuitstores data that can be used to distinguish between peripheral devices,even where the peripheral devices include identical or similar touchpoints. In another embodiment, one or more additional touch points canbe included in the peripheral devices, where processor 118 candifferentiate between the peripheral devices based on a presence and/orrespective locations of the one or more additional touch points. Forexample, the touch point can be a conductive dot where peripheral device102 has locations where a user could place the conductive dot, eachlocation corresponding to a distinguishable configuration for theperipheral device. In another embodiment, a switch of peripheral device102 can select between different presets, where each preset correspondsto a distinguishable configuration for the peripheral device. The switchmay mechanically and/or electrically activate one or more additionaltouch points depending on a selected preset. Exemplary switches includeat least one of a button on peripheral device 102, a dynamiccircuit-based switch, a gravity-based switch utilizing an angle and/orposition of peripheral device 102, an articulation switch based on apositioning or pose of peripheral device 102 (e.g., positioned joints ofperipheral device 102), a magnetic switch that detects, for example, aproximity of an accessory to peripheral device 102 based on an electricfield, and a push switch and/or contact point, for example, to detect apresence of an accessories that attach to peripheral device 102, such asa weapon. In some embodiments, the peripheral devices can bedistinguished by being linked to a user password, a fingerprint, orother identifying data.

In the present embodiment, processor 118 is further configured todetermine an orientation of the peripheral device based on the one orplurality of touches on touch surface 116 of touch-sensitive system 100that are made by the peripheral device. For example, processor 118 candetermine an orientation of peripheral device 102 based on touch 111 aor plurality of contemporaneous touches 136. As the shape shown in FIG.1 a (e.g. triangle), for example, that is formed by contemporaneoustouches 136 is not symmetric on two axes, processor 118 can determine anorientation of peripheral device 102. As one example, touch 111 c can bedesignated as adjacent a front of peripheral device 102 and touches 111a and 111 b can be designated as respective left and right sides ofperipheral device 102. Thus, processor 118 can be configured todetermine an orientation of the peripheral device 102 based on theidentity of peripheral device 102. Processor 118 can determine anorientation of peripheral device 102 with respect to touch surface 116and/or other peripheral devices, such as peripheral device 104. It willbe appreciated that processor 118 can similarly determine an orientationof peripheral device 104.

In some embodiments, processor 118 is also configured to communicatedata 132 to a receptive circuit of peripheral device 102. Data 132 canbe communicated to the receptive circuit in response to processor 118identifying peripheral device 102 based on touches 111 on touch surface116 of touch-sensitive system 100 that are made by peripheral device102. By identifying peripheral device 102 based on touches 111 on touchsurface 116, electronic device 106 can track the presence, positionand/or orientation of peripheral device 102 in the physical world,without requiring complex and expensive electrical components.Furthermore, communicating data 132 to a receptive circuit of peripheraldevice 102 in response to processor 118 identifying peripheral device102 based on touches 111 on touch surface 116, introduces opportunitiesfor new interactive experiences.

Peripheral devices 102 and 104 can be, for example, interactive gamepieces and/or toys, such as action figures, vehicles, and/oraccessories. However, the particular form and components included inperipheral devices 102 and 104 are customizable depending on applicationspecific requirements. Furthermore, peripheral devices 102 and 104 neednot be toys or game pieces and may be designed for adult or general use,which may not be related to personal entertainment. FIGS. 1 b, 1 c, and1 d show selected views of peripheral device 102, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. For example, FIG. 1 b shows aperspective view of peripheral device 102, which is a vehicle that isdepicted as the character Lightning McQueen from the animated film Carsby Disney/Pixar. FIG. 1 c shows a bottom view of peripheral device 102and FIG. 1 c shows a top view of peripheral device 102.

Peripheral device 102 comprises wheels 140 a, 140 b, 140 c, and 140 d(also referred to as wheels 140), windshield 142, right window 144, roof146, spoiler 148, headlights 150 a and 150 b (also referred to asheadlights 150), button 152, front 154 a, and back 154 b. As shown inFIG. 1 c, peripheral device 102 also comprises receptive circuit 160,memory 162, actuator 164, and light router 166. As peripheral device 102comprises receptive circuit 160, it may be considered an activeperipheral device or active game piece. However, it will be appreciatedthat receptive circuit 160 and other components are not required in manyembodiments. Peripheral device 102 also includes touch point 110 d,which is not shown in FIG. 1.

In the present embodiment, touch points 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c areconfigured to contact touch surface 116 of touch-sensitive system 100.Touch points 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c are further configured to providetouches 111 to touch-sensitive system 100 for identifying peripheraldevice 102. FIG. 1 a shows that contemporaneous touches 136 are providedon touch surface 116 by peripheral device 102 and that contemporaneoustouch 138 are provided on touch surface 116 by peripheral device 104. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a, touch points 110 and 114 each compriseconductive material. Furthermore, touch points 110 and 114 areelectrically coupled to touch leads 108 and 112 respectively. Touch lead108 distributes a touch-based input to touch points 110 such that touchsurface 116 receives touch points 110 contemporaneously ascontemporaneous touches 136. Similarly, touch lead 112 distributes atouch-based input to touch points 114 such that touch surface 116receives touch points 114 contemporaneously as contemporaneous touches138. The touch-based input can, for example, originate from a humantouch, such as a finger touch on peripheral device 102 and/or 104 or canbe generated by a circuit that is internal or external to peripheraldevice 102 and/or 104.

In one embodiment, peripheral device 102 can dynamically reroute touchlead 108 and/or other touch leads therein, thereby activating ordeactivating any of touch points 110 to control a presence of touches111 on touch surface 116. For example, touch lead 108 or another touchlead can be connected to touch point 110 d to selectively provide anadditional touch on touch surface 116. Touches 111 can generally beenabled and disabled in any manner, such as Morse code like flashes, tothereby communicate to processor 118. For example, peripheral device 102can comprise a battery and can communicate a status of the battery toprocessor 118 using touches points 110. Thus, in one embodiment,peripheral device 102 is configured to communicate data to processor 118through touch surface 116 by manipulating touch points 111.

Peripheral device 102 also comprises receptive circuit 160 that isconfigured to receive data 132 that is communicated to peripheral device102 in response to the identifying of peripheral device 102. FIG. 1 clists possible components, which can be included in receptive circuit160, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Inone embodiment, peripheral device 102 is configured to receive data 132from a radio frequency (RF) transmission. Receptive circuit 160 cancomprise, for example, a WiFi receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, anInfrared Receiver, or other radio RF receiver, which can receive data132 or other information from transmitter 124 of electronic device 106.In some embodiments, the RF receiver can be part of a transceiver,whereby peripheral device 102 can also communicate data to receiver 122of electronic device 106. In some embodiments, receptive circuit 160 canbe a passive circuit, such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)tag or a similarly passive tag. Thus, as described above, communicatingdata 132 to receptive circuit 160 of peripheral device 102 can beperformed utilizing an RF transmission.

In one embodiment, receptive circuit 160 comprises one or more lightsensors (e.g., photoreceptors) that are configured to receive light thatis generated by a display of touch-sensitive system 100. Processor 118communicating data 132 to receptive circuit 160 of peripheral device 102can be performed utilizing the light generated using the display orlight emitter of touch-sensitive system 100. In one embodiment,peripheral device 102 can be placed over touch screen display 116. Forexample, wheels 140 can be set on touch screen display 116. Thereafter,light can be generated on touch screen display 116, which communicatesdata 132 to receptive circuit 160. In one embodiment, processor 118 cancommunicate data 132 to receptive circuit 160 utilizing a static digitalimage, such as a bar code. In one embodiment, data 132 is communicatedto receptive circuit 160 utilizing a non-static digital image (e.g.digital video), which may be displayed on touch surface 116.

In yet another embodiment, processor 118 can communicate data 132 toreceptive circuit 160 utilizing a flashing light pattern. For example,an ON/OFF light pattern can be utilized where one or more frequencies oflight are interpreted as a logical ON and one or more frequencies oflight are interpreted as a logical OFF, which is interpreted byreceptive circuit 160 as a digital signal. As another example, Morsecode like flashes of light can be used. Thus, communicating data 132 toreceptive circuit 160 may have a bandwidth that is limited by a refreshrate of touch screen display 116. It will be appreciated that morecomplex light patterns are possible.

In a further embodiment, processor 118 can communicate data 132 toreceptive circuit 160 utilizing color, whereby one or more colors isdeciphered by receptive circuit 160. For example the color red can havea different meaning than the color blue as perceived by receptivecircuit 160. It is noted that in some embodiments, processor 118 cancommunicate data 132 or other data to receptive circuit 160 ofperipheral device 102 utilizing any combination of the means describedabove, without first identifying peripheral device 102.

In one embodiment, processor 118 can generate light using a display oftouch-sensitive system 100, such as touch screen display 116, such thatthe light is generated at a position and/or orientation on the displaythat is based on a position and/or orientation of peripheral device 102.The light may not necessarily be utilized by processor 118 tocommunicate data 132 to receptive circuit 160. In one embodiment,peripheral device 102 is over touch screen display 116. Processor 118can determine a position and/or orientation of peripheral device 102 andcan generate the light under or completely under peripheral device 102based on the position and/or orientation of peripheral device 102. Forexample, processor 118 can generate the light under one or more lightsensors of receptive circuit 160 of peripheral device 102. Thus, in someembodiments, the light that is generated by processor 118 can track with(i.e. move with) peripheral device 102 across touch screen display 116,thereby allowing for processor 118 to communicate data 132 to receptivecircuit 160, even where peripheral device 102 moves across and/orrotates over touch screen display 116. Furthermore, this process can behidden from a user as it can be physically concealed by peripheraldevice 102.

In some embodiments, the light that is generated by processor 118 ontouch screen display 116 is utilized to virtually augment physicalcharacteristics of peripheral device 102. In the present embodiment,windshield 142 and headlights 150 are emission locations for light. FIG.1 b shows windshield 142 and headlights 150 as not being illuminated bylight. In contrast, FIG. 1 d shows windshield 142 and headlights 150 asbeing illuminated by light. In some embodiments, the light thatilluminates windshield 142 and/or headlights 150 originates from lightthat is generated from electronic device 106, such as light from touchscreen display 116. Thus, for example, the light can track withperipheral device 102 across touch screen display 116 such thatwindshield 142 and/or headlights 150 and other emission locations ofperipheral device 102 can receive the light as peripheral device 102moves across and/or rotates over touch screen display 116. Furthermore,this process can be hidden from a user as it can be concealed byperipheral device 102.

To illustrate the foregoing, FIG. 1 d shows digital images 168 a, 168 b,and 168 c (also referred to digital images 168), which comprise lightgenerated by processor 118 on touch screen display 116. As shown is FIG.1 d, peripheral device 102 comprises at least light router 166, whichprovides digital images 168 to respective emission locations ofperipheral device 102. For example, digital image 168 a is provided towindshield 142, digital image 168 b is provided to headlight 150 a anddigital image 168 c is provided to headlight 150 b. Thus, by changingany of digital images 168, processor 118 can change what is provided torespective emission locations of peripheral device 102. For example,headlights 150 of peripheral device 102 can blink and/or change colorresponsive to processor 118. Furthermore, windshield 142 can displayeyes and eyebrows as shown in FIG. 1 d that can be animated, therebyenhancing a users interactive experience and more accuratelyrepresenting Lightning McQueen. As such, the light that is generated byprocessor 118 on touch screen display 116 can virtually augment physicalcharacteristics of peripheral device 102.

FIG. 1 c lists some exemplary implementations of light router 166. Insome embodiments light router 166 is digital. For example, windshield142 can be a display and receptive circuit 160 can be a camera. FIG. 1 cshows light router 166 as optionally being electrically connected toreceptive circuit 160, as indicated by a dashed line, which can be usedto receive a signal to control the display. In other embodiments lightrouter 166 is non-digital. For example, light router 166 can compriseone or more mirrors, which reflect digital image 168 a to windshield142. A lens may be employed to focus and project digital image 168 a towindshield 142. In various embodiments, light router 166 can comprise,acrylic, plastic, or other materials suitable for routing light. In oneembodiment, light router 166 comprises optical fibers, such as opticalbundles, where the optical fibers transfer light from pixels on touchscreen display 116 to, for example, route an image from touch screendisplay 116. In one embodiment, light router 166 comprises a prism witha mirror surface and a curved surface. Where light router 166 ispassive, and non-digital, (e.g., using optical bundles, acrylic, and/ormirrors to project digital image 168 a to windshield 142) cost andcomplexity of peripheral device 102 can be low while still providingrobust virtual augmentation to physical characteristics of peripheraldevice 102. For example, it will be appreciated that in some passiveembodiments, peripheral device 102 does not require any electricalcomponents, such as receptive circuit 160, memory 162, and actuator 164.

FIG. 1 c shows that memory 162 of peripheral device 102 is coupled toreceptive circuit 160. Memory 162 of peripheral device 102 can storedata, such as data 132 and thus, in one embodiment, is configured tostore data 132. In some embodiments, memory 162 need not be coupled toreceptive circuit 160. In one embodiment, data is pre-stored in memory162. Data stored in memory 162 can comprise, for example, userpreferences, information about previous uses of software, such as avideo game, software status information, such as an amount of virtualcurrency obtained and scores achieved in a game play, and dataindicating that unlockable content 134 is available for use in software.In one embodiment, the data in memory 162 is linked to a password thatcan be entered on electronic device 106, as an example. In oneembodiment, the data in memory 162 is linked to a fingerprint, which canbe captured from peripheral device 102 or from electronic device 106, asexamples. Also, in one embodiment, the data in memory 162 can be linkedto the identity of peripheral device 102. For example, data 132 may onlybe stored in memory 162 or data may be read from memory 162 in responseto processor 118 identifying peripheral device 102 as Lighting McQueen,as opposed to other characters, such as Mater, using for example, usingtouches 111. As such, the identity of peripheral device 102, asdetermined by processor 118, can be utilized as an authentication meansfor access to memory 162.

FIG. 1 c also shows at least one actuator 164 of peripheral device 102is coupled to receptive circuit 160. FIG. 1 c shows actuator 164 asoptionally being electrically connected to light router 166, asindicated by a dashed line, which can be used to provide a signal tocontrol an emission location of peripheral device 102, such asheadlights 150. Thus, in one embodiment, actuator 164 is configured tobe controlled by data 132. In some embodiments, actuator 164 can switchheadlights 150 on and off. Actuator 164 can comprise, as examples, anelectrical motor, a screw, a wheel and axle, or other actuator. In oneembodiment, data 132 controls actuator 164, which is communicated toreceptive circuit 160, as described above. Thus, for example, peripheraldevice 102 can physically move in response to data 132. In variousembodiments, peripheral device 102 can move, blink, emit a noise, and/orvibrate in response to data 132.

FIG. 1 e shows an exemplary sequence that can be used to illustrate amethod of communicating with peripheral device 102 using touch-sensitivesystem 100, according to one embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a flowchart describing the steps,according to one embodiment of the present invention, for communicatingwith peripheral device 102, of a plurality of peripheral devices, usingtouch-sensitive system 100 that has processor 118 and touch surface 116.Certain details and features have been left out of flowchart 200 thatare apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. For example, astep may comprise one or more substeps or may involve specializedequipment or materials, as known in the art. While steps 210 through 250indicated in flowchart 200 are sufficient to describe one embodiment ofthe present invention, other embodiments of the invention may utilizesteps different from those shown in flowchart 200. For example, as shownin FIG. 2, step 240 can be optional. Furthermore, certain steps, such asstep 250, may have multiple instances that occur concurrently, and/orare repeated consecutive times.

Referring to step 210 of flowchart 200 in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 1 a-1 d, step210 of flowchart 200 comprises providing touch points 110 a, 110 b, and110 c of peripheral device 102 over touch surface 116 of electronicdevice 106 to make touches 111 on touch surface 116. For example, a usercan place peripheral device 102 on touch surface 116 such that touchpoints 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c are over touch surface 116. In someembodiments, in order to provide touches 111 contemporaneously on touchsurface 116, touch points 110 are elastic. For example, touches points110 can comprise conductive elastomer and may be hollow inside. In someembodiments, touch points 110 are each mounted on individual springsand/or attached to elastic washers such so that each touch point 110 canpivot independently. Also, in one embodiment, touch points 110 are on asubstrate, where the substrate is attached to a spring or elasticmaterial. In this embodiment, touch points 110 can be fixed in aposition relative to one another on the substrate, but the substrate canpivot. In these ways, contemporaneous touches 136 can be provided ontouch surface 116 even when peripheral device 102 is tilted.

As one specific example, peripheral devices 102 and 104 can representdigital characters in a video game running on electronic device 106.Furthermore, electronic device 106 may have any of the identity,presence, position, and orientation of peripheral devices 102 and 104stored in memory 126 prior to step 210, which may have been determinedby processor 118 using steps similar to those shown in flowchart 200.Alternatively, any of the identity, presence, position, and orientationof peripheral devices 102 and 104 can be determined by processor 118after step 210.

Referring to step 220 of flowchart 200 in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 1 a-1 d, step220 of flowchart 200 comprises processor 118 detecting touches 111 ontouch surface 116 that are made by peripheral device 102. For example, auser can touch at least one of right window 144, roof 146, and spoiler148, which can be contact regions that are coupled to one or more touchleads, such as touch lead 108, to transfer a touch to touch points 110.In addition to, or in the alternative to having contact regions, button152 can be included, which is a touch switch that can selectively enablethe generation of touches 111 by a circuit within peripheral device 102.

Referring to step 230 of flowchart 200 in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 1 a-1 d, step230 of flowchart 200 comprises processor 118 identifying peripheraldevice 102 based on touches 111 on touch surface 116 of touch-sensitivesystem 100 that are made by peripheral device 102. For example,processor 118 can compare a triangle formed by contemporaneous touches136 to identifying data 130 to identify peripheral device 102. As aspecific example, processor 118 can identify peripheral device 102 asLightning McQueen, peripheral device 104 as Mater from Disney/Pixar'sCars.

Referring to step 240 of flowchart 200 in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 1 a-1 d, step240 of flowchart 200 comprises processor 118 optionally determining anorientation of peripheral device 102 based on based on touches 111 ontouch surface 116 of touch-sensitive system 100 that are made byperipheral device 102. For example, processor 118 can determine anorientation of peripheral device 102 with respect to peripheral device104 and/or touch surface 116. This can be accomplished, for example, bydetermining a rotational offset of the triangle formed bycontemporaneous touches 136 with respect to a triangle stored inidentifying data 130. It will be appreciated that other means arepossible. Furthermore, processor 118 can associate a point or region ofthe triangle formed by contemporaneous touches 136 with front 154 a ofperipheral device 102 and another point or region of the triangle formedby contemporaneous touches 136 with back 154 b.

Referring to step 250 of flowchart 200 in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 1 a-1 d, step250 of flowchart 200 comprises processor 118 communicating data 132 toreceptive circuit 160 of peripheral device 102 in response toidentifying peripheral device 102. For example, processor 118 cancommunicate data 132 utilizing transmitter 124, which can be, forexample, an RF transmitter, or other means for communicating data 132 toreceptive circuit 160 of peripheral device 102, as described above.

An exemplary sequence will be described below with respect to FIGS. 2and 1 e to better illuminate various inventive concepts. In step 210, auser can place peripheral device 102 at position P₁ and orientation O₁over touch surface 116 and can press button 152 that can selectivelyenable the generation of touches 111 by a circuit within peripheraldevice 102, which are detected by processor 118 using step 220. Usingstep 230, processor 118 can identify peripheral device 102 as LightningMcQueen from Disney/Pixar's Cars. Furthermore, processor 118 may alreadyhave performed steps 210 through 240 with respect to peripheral device104 and identified peripheral device 104 as Mater from Disney/Pixar'sCars.

Using step 250, processor 118 may control headlights 150 and windshield142 so they are illuminated as has been described above. Furthermore,processor 118 can generate digital headlights 174 a and 174 b (alsoreferred to as digital headlights 174), which are digital images ontouch screen display 116 that represent reflections of headlights 150.The position and orientation of digital headlights 174 can be generatedbased on position P₁ and orientation O₁ of peripheral device 102. Thus,digital headlights 174 can track with peripheral device 102 across touchsurface 116. Furthermore, digital headlights 174 can blink, flicker,and/or change color based on position P₁ and orientation O₁ ofperipheral device 102.

After step 240, processor 118 may determine that peripheral device 102is facing peripheral device 104 and in step 250, because LightningMcQueen is facing Mater based on position P₁ and orientation O₁, andactuator 120 may comprise a speaker used to simulate a conversationbetween Lightning McQueen and Mater. Also, in one embodiment, actuator164 in peripheral device 102 can comprise a speaker, where processor 118utilizes step 250 to simulate the conversation with the speaker,receptive circuit 160 and data 132. It is noted that in someembodiments, multiple instances of step 250 can be performedconsecutively and/or concurrently. In an alternate scenario, ifLightning McQueen is determined to not be facing Mater after step 240,actuator 164 may comprise a motor and processor 118 may directperipheral device 102 to physically turn and face Mater utilizing step250 prior to simulating the conversation.

In one embodiment, processor 118 can utilize steps described inflowchart 200 to direct movement of peripheral device 102 across touchsurface 116. For example, processor 118 can cause peripheral device 102to move utilizing step 250 to control at leave one motor to steer wheels140 and drive peripheral device 102 as a vehicle. Utilizing steps 220through 240, processor 118 can track peripheral device 102 so that themovement can be directed based on any combination of the position,orientation, and identity of peripheral device 102. In some embodiments,processor 118 can direct movement of peripheral device 102 based on userinput, such as touch-based input on touch surface 116, an externalcontroller, such as a video game controller, and voice commands.

FIG. 1 e, shows a dotted line, which corresponds to path 172 taken byperipheral device 102 as processor 118 directs movement of peripheraldevice 102 across touch surface 116. As shown in FIG. 1 e, at positionP₂, Lightning McQueen has collided with wall 170. In one embodiment,wall 170 is a digital element on touch screen display 116. In anotherembodiment, wall 170 can be another peripheral device, which may beplaced by a user, for example, to create an obstacle course. Processor118 can detect position P₂ and/or orientation O₁ of peripheral device102 relative to wall 170 to determine that an in software event, e.g.,the collision, has occurred. Furthermore, in step 250, processor 118 cangenerate data 132 based on position P₂ and/or orientation O₁ ofperipheral device 102 relative to wall 170 (e.g. a peripheral device ordigital element). For example, processor 118 may drive Lightning McQueenin reverse, turn wheels 140 to avoid wall 170, and drive LightningMcQueen forward on path 172. Other examples of processor 118 generatingdata 132 based on position P₂ and/or orientation of peripheral device102 relative to a digital element of touch-sensitive system 100 resultin haptic or tactile feedback, where actuator 164 of peripheral device102 or actuator 120 of electronic device 106 vibrate when the digitalelement is gravel, as opposed to pavement, and where peripheral device102 moves slower if the digital element is mud, as opposed to dirt.Also, as shown in FIG. 1 e, digital headlight 174 b can be generatedbased on any of position P₂ and orientation O₁ of peripheral deice 102relative to wall 170 (e.g. a peripheral device or digital element) andis thus, depicted as being smaller as it is obscured by wall 170.

As processor 118 can determine orientation O₁ of peripheral device 102,processor 118 can determine a “point of impact” where only headlight 150b has collided with wall 150. Thus, in FIG. 1 e headlight 150 b shown asno longer being illuminated and digital headlight 174 b is not shown atposition P₃. Using step 250, data 132 can be stored in memory 162 ofperipheral device 102, which can record that headlight 150 b is damagedand no longer operable. Thus, for example, if peripheral device 102 issimilarly utilized in a different touch-sensitive system, headlight 150b may still be inoperable until, for example, a user initiates a virtualrepair of headlight 150 b in software.

In one embodiment, path 172 is also on another touch surface in additionto touch surface 116. The touch surface may, for example, be part ofanother electronic device that is not shown. For example, a user mayplace two iPads side-by-side to expand touch surface 116.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a digitalmirror effect can be achieved on a display of touch-sensitive system100. FIG. 1 e shows virtual display 176, which is a digital image ontouch screen display 116. Virtual display 176 shows virtualrepresentation 178 of peripheral device 102 as Lightning McQueen.Utilizing an orientation and/or position of peripheral device 102 overtouch surface 116, virtual display 176 can act as a digital mirror,where virtual representation 178 mirrors movement of peripheral device102. For example, in FIG. 1 e, processor 118 has determined thatperipheral device 102 is in front of virtual display 176 at position P₃and represents virtual representation 178 as having orientation O₂. Ifperipheral device 102 were to rotate, virtual representation 178 mayalso rotate. Also, FIG. 1 e shows physical boundary 182, which may berepresented in virtual display 176. In some embodiments, if peripheraldevice 102 were to move from position P₃, virtual representation 178 maymove in virtual display 176 and may be only partially displayed asperipheral device 102 exits boundary 182.

In virtual display 176, virtual representation 178 of peripheral device102 has decals 182 a and 182 b (also referred to as decals 182), whichare virtual accessories of virtual representation 178. Moreparticularly, peripheral device 102 does not physically include decals182, which are included in virtual representation 178. Decals 182 canbe, for example, unlocked in software by completing levels of a videogame, performing an in software purchase, or can be linked to a userprofile and/or an identity of peripheral device 102 as determined instep 230, for example. Examples of virtual accessories, for LightningMcQueen can include virtual makeup, an animated mouth, snow tires, dirttires, rims, and hats.

Virtual accessories for physical objects, such as peripheral device 102,as opposed to virtual representation 178, track with the physical objectand allow for an enhanced user experience. For example, digitalheadlights 174, described above, are virtual accessories, which provideenhanced realism. In one embodiment, virtual accessories are implementedas special tires or weapon upgrades, which can be unlocked in software,for example through a purchase using real or in-game currency. In oneembodiment, the virtual accessories are adjacent peripheral device 102on a display, such as touch screen display 116 of touch-sensitive system100. In one embodiment, the virtual accessories can affect performanceof a digital representation of peripheral device 102 in software. Forexample, if the virtual accessory comprise snow tires, the digitalrepresentation may have an attribute, such as a speed attribute oversnow, which is increased due to having the snow tires. Processor 118 canalso utilize the attribute to control peripheral device 118, e.g., bygenerating data 132 based on the attribute. For example, peripheraldevice 102 may move faster or slower depending on a magnitude of thespeed attribute. The virtual accessory may similarly comprise off-roadtires, causing better performance over gravel or dirt, and racing tires,causing better performance over asphalt.

In one embodiment, virtual accessories can be modified by user input.For example, the virtual accessory may be modified in response to a userpressing a button on touch surface 116, on a remote control, or onelectronic device 106. As one example, the virtual accessory may be acannon, which fires a projectile in response to the user input. As otherexamples, the virtual accessory can be a jet pack, a laser, or a towhook. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the virtual accessory enables theuser input. For example, a button may appear on screen in response toperipheral device 102 having the virtual accessory. In one embodiment,the remote control is another electronic device, such as an iPad or aniPhone from Apple®. The another electronic device may send remotecontrol data over a server, Bluetooth, or other means and may also beused as an additional display for software running on electronic device106 instead of or in addition to serving as a remote control. Forexample, the another electronic device may display a different view ofthe same game word as electronic device 106, and/or in game statusinformation.

It is noted that not all embodiments disclosed herein require processor118 to be configured to communicate data 132 to a receptive circuit ofperipheral device 102. Furthermore, not all embodiments disclosed hereinrequire the communication to be in response to processor 118 identifyingperipheral device 102 based on touches 111 on touch surface 116 oftouch-sensitive system 100. However, in many preferred embodiments,processor 118 has such a configuration. In one embodiment, peripheraldevice 102 can drive itself across touch surface 116 with or withoutdata 132, for example, utilizing a sensor, such as a camera, orutilizing user input from a remote control. In one embodiment,peripheral device 102 can drive itself across touch surface 116,physically moving in response to movement of a road (i.e. digitalelement) depicted on touch screen display 116. Similarly, headlights 150and/or windshield 142 may be controlled by peripheral device 102 with orwithout data 132.

To further illustrate embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 1 eshows peripheral devices 190 a and 190 b. Peripheral devices 190 a and190 b can include similar components as peripheral device 102, shown inFIGS. 1 b-1 d, or may include different components or less components(such as only one or more touch points). Peripheral device 190 a has aplurality of faces including faces 192 a, 192 b, 192 c, and 192 d. Eachof faces 192 a, 192 b, 192 c, and 192 d has a different configuration oftouch points, such as touch points 110, whereby peripheral device 190 ahas a different identity depending on which face of peripheral device190 a is identified by processor 118. For example, in the presentembodiment, peripheral device 190 a is a six-sided die and each facerepresents a different result of a user rolling the die. In theembodiment shown, the user has rolled a one, which can be determined byprocessor 118 by identifying peripheral device 190 a based on one ormore touch points on face 192 d. As shown in FIG. 1 e, peripheral device190 a has a visual marking or indicator (e.g., dot) on face 192 a, whichdisplays on peripheral device 190 a information related to what isidentified by processor 118. The visual marking may be permanently onperipheral device 190 a and/or only appear on peripheral device 190 aafter processor 118 has identified peripheral device 190 a.

Peripheral device 190 b is similar to peripheral device 190 a with faces194 a, 194 b, 194 c, and 194 d having different configurations of touchpoints, such as touch points 110, whereby peripheral device 190 b has adifferent identity depending on which face of peripheral device 190 b isidentified by processor 118. In one embodiment, processor 118 candistinguish peripheral device 190 b from peripheral device 190 a,whether it be from having different configurations of touch points(e.g., different identities for its faces than peripheral device 190 a),an RFID tag, or other means, including those described above. Thus, forexample, each user of electronic device 106 can have a unique die, suchthat processor 118 can determine which user has rolled the die. In oneembodiment, each user must first register in software with a peripheraldevice 190 a or 190 b. In another embodiment the software automaticallyassociates each of peripheral devices 190 a and 190 b with differentusers. Of course the above concepts are not limited to die. For example,peripheral devices 190 a and 190 b could be playing cards. As anotherexample, peripheral devices 190 a and 190 b could be checkers pieceswhere one face identifies as a “kinged piece.”

In various embodiments of the present invention, peripheral devices,such as peripheral devices 102, 104, 190 a, and 190 b may be placed inphysical contact with touch surface 116. As such, there is a risk ofscratching touch surface 116 and/or making noise if touch points, suchas touch points 110, were to move on touch surface 116. In oneembodiment, touch points 110 comprise soft capacitive material, such asa conductive elastomer or other polymer that does not scratch touchsurface 116. Other examples include at least one of a conductive threadsewn on fabric, a conductive ink printed on, for example, paper orplastic, a conductive paint, a polished metallic material, metallicmaterial with a coating, such as paint or flocking, and a conductivefoam.

However, in some embodiments, touch points, such as touch points 110,may be prone to scratching touch surface 116 and/or making noise if thetouch points were to move on touch surface 116. Thus, in someembodiments, touch surface 116 can be protected from direct physicalcontact with the touch points. For example, in one embodiment, aperipheral device or touch surface 116 includes a means for spacing thetouch points from touch surface 116 to prevent the direct physicalcontact when the peripheral device is on touch surface 116. Referring toFIG. 1 c, for example, wheels 140 may space touch points 110 from touchsurface 116 when peripheral device 102 is on touch surface 116. However,touch points 110 are close enough to touch surface 116 to registertouches 111. In one embodiment, peripheral device 190 a can includeprotective material such as scratch proof and/or scratch resistantmaterial, for example rubberized material, on each of faces 192 a, 192b, 192 c, and 192 d to space touch points from touch surface 116. Insome embodiments, the protective material covers the touch points. Also,in some embodiments, the protective material exposes the touch points.

In some embodiments, the protective material and/or other material formthe touch points. For example, the material can cover a portion orportions of one or more conductive layers to expose one or more portionsof the conductive layer to electrical contact with touch surface 116while shielding other portions of the conductive layer from electricalcontact with touch surface 116, whereby the exposed portions form thetouch points. In this way, different coverings can be applied toperipheral devices to change or set their identify as determined byprocessor 118.

From the above description of the invention it is manifest that varioustechniques can be used for implementing the concepts of the presentinvention without departing from its scope. Moreover, while theinvention has been described with specific reference to certainembodiments, a person of ordinary skills in the art would recognize thatchanges can be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand the scope of the invention. As such, the described embodiments areto be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Itshould also be understood that the invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein, but is capable of manyrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communicating with a first peripheraldevice, of a plurality of peripheral devices, using a touch-sensitivesystem that has a processor and a touch surface, the method comprising:detecting, using the processor, a plurality of touches on the touchsurface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the firstperipheral device; and identifying, using the processor, the firstperipheral device based on the plurality of touches on the touch surfaceof the touch-sensitive system that are made by the first peripheraldevice; communicating data, using the processor, to a receptive circuitof the first peripheral device in response to the identifying of thefirst peripheral device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof touches are contemporaneous.
 3. The method of claim 1, comprisinggenerating, using the processor, the data based on a position of theperipheral device over the touch surface.
 4. The method of claim 1,comprising generating, using the processor, the data based on a positionof the peripheral device relative to a digital element of thetouch-sensitive system.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheraldevice moves in response to the data.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe data controls an actuator of the peripheral device.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, comprising directing, using the processor, movement of theperipheral device across the touch surface.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the communicating the data to the receptive circuit of theperipheral device is performed utilizing light generated by a display ofthe touch-sensitive system.
 9. The method of claim 1, comprising storingthe data in a memory of the peripheral device.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the communicating the data to the receptive circuit of theperipheral device is performed utilizing a radio frequency (RF)transmission.
 11. A touch-sensitive system for communicating to at leasta peripheral device of a plurality of peripheral devices, thetouch-sensitive system comprising: a touch surface; a processor, theprocessor being configured to: detect a plurality of touches on thetouch surface of the touch-sensitive system that are made by the firstperipheral device; identify the first peripheral device based on theplurality of touches on the touch surface of the touch-sensitive systemthat are made by the first peripheral device; and communicate data to areceptive circuit of the first peripheral device in response toidentifying the first peripheral device.
 12. The touch-sensitive systemof claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to generate the databased on a position of the peripheral device over the touch surface. 13.The method of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to generatethe data based on a position of the peripheral device relative to adigital element that is on a display of the touch-sensitive system. 14.The method of claim 11, wherein the peripheral device moves in responseto the data.
 15. A peripheral device for use with a touch-sensitivesystem having a touch surface, the peripheral device comprising: aplurality of touch points configured to contact the touch surface of thetouch-sensitive system; the plurality of touch points further configuredto provide touches to the touch-sensitive system for identifying thefirst peripheral device; a receptive circuit configured to receive datathat is communicated to the peripheral device in response to theidentifying of the first peripheral device.
 16. The peripheral device ofclaim 15, wherein the receptive circuit comprises a light sensor that isconfigured to receive light that is generated by a display of thetouch-sensitive system.
 17. The peripheral device of claim 15 comprisingan actuator that is configured to be controlled by the data.
 18. Theperipheral device of claim 15 comprising a memory that is configuredstore the data.
 19. The peripheral device of claim 15, wherein thereceptive circuit is configured to receive the data from an RFtransmission.
 20. The peripheral device of claim 15, wherein theperipheral device is configured to communicate data to a processorthrough the touch surface by manipulating the plurality of touch points.